Tessellated inductive power transmission system coil configurations

ABSTRACT

A system for inductive power transmission includes a curved interface surface and a plurality of coil elements positioned underneath the curved interface surface. Each of the plurality of coil elements is positioned such that at least one edge of the respective coil element is adjacent to an edge of at least one other of the plurality of coil elements. And, each of the plurality of coil elements is positioned in a plane different from planes in which adjacent coil elements are positioned. Each of the plurality of coil elements are operable to at least one of: inductively transmit power to at least one coil of at least one electronic device; or inductively receive power from the at least one coil of the at least one electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/436,264, filed Feb. 17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/225,067, filed Mar. 25, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,601,933; which are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to inductive power transmission, andmore specifically to tessellated inductive power transmission coilconfigurations capable of charging multiple devices utilizing complexareas.

BACKGROUND

Induction may be utilized to wirelessly transmit power betweenelectronic devices. Such wireless power transmission may be performedfor the purposes of powering one or more devices, charging one or morebatteries, an/or other such purposes.

Inductive charging devices, such as a charging pad or dock, may includean inductive power transmission system coil that is used to transmitpower to an electronic device proximate to the inductive chargingdevice. In cases where the inductive charging device has a singleinductive power transmission system coil, the inductive charging devicemay only be able to transmit power to a single electronic device at atime. In order to transmit power to another electronic device, theelectronic device currently proximate to the inductive charging devicemay have to be swapped out for the other device.

In some cases, inductive charging devices may have multiple inductivepower transmission system coils. In such cases, the number of coils thatcan be included (and thus the number of different electronic devices towhich a single inductive charging device may transmit power) may belimited by coil geometry, cross coupling and/or other interferencebetween the coils, and/or other such considerations.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discloses systems, apparatuses, and methods forinductive power transmission. A system for inductive power transmissionmay include at least one interface surface and a plurality of triangularcoil elements positioned underneath the interface surface such that atleast one edge of the respective triangular coil element is adjacent toan edge of at least one other of the triangular coil elements. Each ofthe triangular coil elements may be operable to inductively transmitpower to at least one coil of at least one electronic device and/orinductively receive power from the coil of the electronic device.

Each of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductivelytransmit and/or receive power independently. Each triangular coilelement may be operable to detect the proximity of one or more inductivecoils of one or more electronic devices and inductively transmit powerupon such detection. Each triangular coil element may be operable toinductively transmit power at different frequencies, power levels,and/or other inductive power transmission characteristics and may becapable of adjusting transmission to the requirements of one or morereceiving devices. Multiple of the triangular coil elements may beoperable to inductively transmit power at the same time and/or at thesame time that other triangular coil elements are inductively receivingpower. In cases where two triangular coil elements are inductivelytransmitting power at the same time, each may transmit at differentfrequencies, power levels, and so on.

Multiple of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductivelytransmit and/or receive power cooperatively. For example, multipletriangular coil elements may detect proximity to the same inductive coilof an electronic device and/or inductive coils of the same electronicdevice (such as by monitoring current of the triangular coil elements,monitoring information exchanged between the electronic device and anelectronic device incorporating the triangular coil elements whetherexchanged utilizing the triangular coil elements and/or othercommunication components, and so on). In such a case, the inductivepower characteristics of the triangular coil elements may be adjustedsuch that the triangular coil elements inductively transmit and/orreceive power cooperatively, such as utilizing matching inductivetransmission parameters, complementary inductive transmissionparameters, and so on. Such adjustment may synchronize the triangularcoil elements, intelligently cancel each other, and so on.

Although the coil elements are discussed herein as triangular, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, the coilelements may be one or more different shapes (such as rectangles,triangles other than equilateral triangles, hexagons, circles, ovals,squares, irregular shapes, other shapes, and/or a mixture of shapes)without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, although the coil elements are discussed herein as flat coilelements, it is understood that this is an example. In variousimplementations, the coil elements may be nonflat, such as curved (suchas to follow the curve of a curved interface surface), bent, stepped,angled, and/or otherwise configured in a non-planar manner.

In some implementations, the interface surface may have a regularhorizontal shape. However, in other implementations the interfacesurface may have an irregular shape and the area underneath theinterface surface may still be maximized due to the triangular nature ofthe triangular coil elements. Additionally, in various implementationsthe interface surface may be a planar surface. However, in otherimplementations the interface surface may be non-planar. In suchimplementations, one or more of the triangular coil elements may occupya different horizontal plane.

The triangular coil elements may be formed in a variety of ways. Suchtriangular coil elements may be wound wire, printed circuit boards,flexible printed circuits, etches circuits, and or other such formedinductive coils. Each of the triangular coil elements may include one ormore shielding elements formed of one or more ferrite materials. Suchferrite shielding elements may separate adjacent triangular coilelements and/or shield a surface of the triangular coil elementsopposite the interface surface.

In a first embodiment, a system for inductive power transmissionincludes at least one interface surface and a plurality of triangularcoil elements positioned underneath the at least one interface surface.Each of the plurality of triangular coil elements may be positioned suchthat at least one edge of the respective triangular coil element isadjacent to an edge of at least one other of the plurality of triangularcoil elements. Each of the plurality of triangular coil elements areoperable to inductively transmit power to at least one coil of at leastone electronic device or inductively receive power from the at least onecoil of the at least one electronic device.

In a second embodiment, an electronic device includes at least oneinterface surface and a plurality of triangular coil elements positionedunderneath the at least one interface surface. Each of the plurality oftriangular coil elements may be positioned such that at least one edgeof the respective triangular coil element is adjacent to an edge of atleast one other of the plurality of triangular coil elements. Each ofthe plurality of triangular coil elements are operable to inductivelytransmit power to at least one coil of at least one electronic device orinductively receive power from the at least one coil of the at least oneelectronic device.

In a third embodiment, a method for inductive power transmissionincludes: placing at least one electronic device on an interface surfaceof an inductive power transmission device, the inductive powertransmission device including a plurality of triangular coil elementspositioned underneath the interface surface, each of the plurality oftriangular coil elements positioned such that at least one edge of therespective triangular coil element is adjacent to an edge of at leastone other of the plurality of triangular coil elements; detecting thatat least one of the plurality of triangular coil elements is proximateto the at least one electronic device; and inductively transmittingpower to the at least one electronic device utilizing the at least oneof the plurality of triangular coil elements.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are for purposes of example andexplanation and do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure.Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view diagram illustrating a first example systemfor inductive power transmission.

FIG. 1B is a cross section of the electronic device of FIG. 1A, takenalong line 1B-1B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is a cross section of a triangular coil element of FIG. 1B,taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example of a first alternative implementation ofthe electronic device shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1E illustrates an example of a second alternative implementation ofthe electronic device shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1F illustrates an example of a third alternative implementation ofthe electronic device shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view diagram illustrating a second examplesystem for inductive power transmission.

FIG. 2B is a cross section of the second example system of FIG. 2A,taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example of an alternative implementation of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for inductivepower transmission. This method may be performed by the systems of FIGS.1A-1C and/or 2A-2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, andcomputer program products that embody various elements of the presentdisclosure. However, it should be understood that the describeddisclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to thosedescribed herein.

The present disclosure discloses systems, apparatuses, and methods forinductive power transmission. A system for inductive power transmissionmay include at least one interface surface and a plurality of triangularcoil elements, which may be equilateral triangles, positioned underneaththe interface surface. Each of the triangular coil elements may bepositioned such that at least one edge of the respective triangular coilelement is adjacent to an edge of at least one other of the triangularcoil elements. In some cases, at least one of the triangular coilelements may be positioned such that each of its edges are adjacent toedges of other triangular coil elements. Each of the triangular coilelements may be operable to inductively transmit power to at least onecoil of one or more electronic devices and/or inductively receive powerfrom the coil of the electronic device. In this way, the triangular coilelements may be positioned to maximize the area underneath the interfacesurface.

In some implementations, the interface surface may have a regularhorizontal shape, such as a square, rectangle, hexagon, and so on.However, in other implementations the interface surface may have anirregular shape and the area underneath the interface surface may stillbe maximized due to the triangular nature of the triangular coilelements.

Additionally, in various implementations the interface surface may be aplanar surface. However, in other implementations the interface surfacemay be a non-planar surface. In such implementations, one or more of thetriangular coil elements may occupy a different horizontal plane. Forexample, one or more triangular coil elements may be angularly offset ina Z-axis with respect to an adjacent triangular coil element. In somecases of such implementations, none of the triangular elements may sharea horizontal plane.

Each of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductivelytransmit and/or receive power independently. Each triangular coilelement may be operable to detect the proximity of one or more inductivecoils of one or more electronic devices and inductively transmit powerupon such detection.

Each triangular coil element may be operable to inductively transmitpower at different frequencies, power levels, and/or other inductivepower transmission characteristics and may be capable of adjustingtransmission to the requirements of one or more receiving devices.Multiple of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductivelytransmit power at the same time and/or at the same time that othertriangular coil elements are inductively receiving power. In cases wheretwo triangular coil elements are inductively transmitting power at thesame time, each may transmit at different frequencies, power levels, andso on in order to mitigate, minimize, and/or eliminate cross couplingand/or other interference between the transmitting triangular coilelements.

Multiple of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductivelytransmit and/or receive power cooperatively. For example, multipletriangular coil elements may detect proximity to the same inductive coilof an electronic device and/or inductive coils of the same electronicdevice (such as by monitoring current of the triangular coil elements,monitoring information exchanged between the electronic device and anelectronic device incorporating the triangular coil elements whetherexchanged utilizing the triangular coil elements and/or othercommunication components, and so on). In such a case, the inductivepower characteristics of the triangular coil elements may be adjustedsuch that the triangular coil elements inductively transmit and/orreceive power cooperatively, such as utilizing matching parameters,complementary parameters, and so on. Such adjustment may synchronize thetriangular coil elements, intelligently cancel each other, and so on.

Although the coil elements are discussed herein as triangular, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, the coilelements may be one or more different shapes (such as rectangles,triangles other than equilateral triangles, hexagons, circles, ovals,squares, irregular shapes, other shapes, and/or a mixture of shapes)without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, although the coil elements are discussed herein as flat coilelements, it is understood that this is an example. In variousimplementations, the coil elements may be non-flat, such as curved (suchas to follow the curve of a curved interface surface), bent, stepped,angled, and/or otherwise configured in a non-planar manner.

The triangular coil elements may be formed in a variety of ways. Suchtriangular coil elements may be wound wire (for example, wound on amandrel), printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuits, etchescircuits, and or other such formed inductive coils.

Each of the triangular coil elements may include one or more shieldingelements. Such shielding elements may be formed of one or more ferritematerials and may separate adjacent triangular coil elements. Further,such shielding elements may shield a surface of the triangular coilelements opposite the interface surface. These shielding elements mayreduce, mitigate, and/or eliminate cross coupling and/or otherinterference between triangular coil elements and/or may assist and/orotherwise improve inductive power transfer between triangular coilelements and other coil elements of other electronic devices.

FIG. 1A is an isometric view diagram illustrating a first example system100 for inductive power transmission. As illustrated, the systemincludes an electronic device 101 (e.g., a charging pad) operable toinductively transmit power to a number of other electronic devicesproximate to an interface surface 105 such as electronic device 102 andelectronic device 103. However, it is understood that this is anexample. In various implementations, the electronic device 101 may beany kind of electronic device operable to inductively transmit power toand/or inductively receive power from any number of electronic devicesuch as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, atablet computer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a digital mediaplayer, a dock, a wearable device, a display device, and/or any otherelectronic device.

Further, although the electronic device 102 is illustrated as a smartphone and electronic device 103 is illustrated as a digital mediaplayer, it is understood that these are examples and the electronicdevices 102 and/or 103 may be any kind of electronic device operable toinductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from anynumber of electronic devices such as those listed above.

As illustrated, the interface surface 105 may have an irregularhorizontal shape. However, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, the interface surface may have a regularhorizontal shape such as a rectangle, a square, and/or any other regularshape. As further illustrated, the interface surface may be a planarsurface. However, it is understood that this is an example. In otherimplementations, the interface surface may be a non-planar surface (suchas in the second example system 200 shown in FIG. 2A).

FIG. 1B is a cross section of the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1A,taken along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1. As illustrated, a number of inductivetransmission triangular coil elements 110 a (which may be equilateraltriangles as illustrated and/or may be any kind of triangle and/or acombination of different types of triangles) may be positionedunderneath the interface surface 105. The triangular coil elements maybe positioned edge to edge such that at least one edge of each isadjacent to the edge of another. As illustrated, one or more triangularcoil elements may be positioned such that each edge is adjacent to theedge of at least one other triangular coil element. As illustrated, thetriangular coil elements may be positioned to maximize an areaunderneath the interface surface 105 to maximize the number of coilelements positioned within the area.

Each of the triangular coil elements 110 a may be operable toinductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from oneor more coils of one or more other electronic devices, such as theelectronic devices 102 and 103. The triangular coil elements may beindependently operable. Each may be operable to inductively transmitpower at different frequencies, power levels, and/or other inductivepower transmission characteristics. In some implementations, each may becapable of adjusting transmission to the requirements of one or morereceiving devices, such as the electronic devices 102 and 103.

Multiple of the triangular coil elements 110 a may be operable toinductively transmit power at the same time and/or at the same time thatother triangular coil elements are inductively receiving power. In caseswhere two triangular coil elements are inductively transmitting power atthe same time, each may transmit at different frequencies, power levels,and so on in order to mitigate, minimize, and/or eliminate crosscoupling and/or other interference between the transmitting triangularcoil elements.

Each of the triangular coil elements 110 a may be operable toinductively transmit and/or receive power independently. Each triangularcoil element may be operable to detect the proximity of one or moreinductive coils of one or more electronic devices (such as theelectronic devices 102 and 103) and inductively transmit power upon suchdetection. For example, such detection may be performed by monitoringcurrent of the triangular coil elements, monitoring informationexchanged between the electronic device and an electronic deviceincorporating the triangular coil elements whether exchanged utilizingthe triangular coil elements and/or other communication components, andso on. This selective activation based upon detection of proximity mayutilize less power than activation that is not based upon detection ofproximity.

In some cases, multiple triangular coil elements 110 a may be inproximity with one or more inductive coils of one or more electronicdevices (such as the electronic devices 102 and 103), such as when anelectronic device is positioned proximate to portions such as theillustrated portions where the points of multiple triangular coilelements meet. In such a case, the electronic device 101 may alternatewhich of the proximate triangular coil elements are utilized toinductively transmit and/or receive power according to any number ofdifferent alternation schemes. For example, an electronic device may bepositioned proximate to portions where three triangular coil elementsmeet. In such an example, a first of the three may be utilized toinductively transmit and/or receive power. Then, the first of the threemay be deactivated and a second of the three may be activated.Subsequently, the second may be deactivated and the third may beactivated. Such alternation between utilization of different triangularcoil elements may reduce, mitigate, prevent, and/or dissipate heatcaused by inductive transmission. Further, such alternation may furthermitigate, minimize, and/or eliminate cross coupling and/or otherinterference between the transmitting triangular coil elements.

Additionally, multiple of the triangular coil elements 110 a may beoperable to inductively transmit and/or receive power cooperatively. Forexample, multiple triangular coil elements may detect proximity to thesame inductive coil of an electronic device and/or inductive coils ofthe same electronic device. In such a case, the inductive powercharacteristics of the triangular coil elements may be adjusted suchthat the triangular coil elements inductively transmit and/or receivepower cooperatively, such as utilizing matching parameters,complementary parameters, and so on. Such adjustment may synchronize thetriangular coil elements, intelligently cancel each other, and so on.

As illustrated, one or more of the triangular coil elements 110 a mayshare a horizontal plane. However, it is understood that this is anexample. In various implementations, one or more triangular elements mayoccupy different horizontal planes (see the second exampleimplementation 200 illustrated in FIG. 2B). In some implementations, allof the triangular elements may occupy different horizontal planes.

As illustrated, the triangular coil elements 110 a may include woundwire coils 113 a. However, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, the triangular coil elements may be formed in avariety of ways. Such triangular coil elements may be wound wire,printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuits, etches circuits, andor other such formed inductive coils.

Each of the triangular coil elements 110 a may include one or moreshielding elements 111 a and 112 a. Such shielding elements may beformed of one or more ferrite materials. As illustrated, shield elements111 a separate adjacent triangular coil elements and shield elements 112a shield a surface of the triangular coil elements opposite theinterface surface. These shielding elements may reduce, mitigate, and/oreliminate cross coupling and/or other interference between triangularcoil elements. These shielding elements may also assist and/or otherwiseimprove inductive power transfer between triangular coil elements andother coil elements of other electronic devices (such as the electronicdevices 102 and 103) by focusing the inductive power transferred,preventing other triangular coil elements from unintendedly receivingtransferred power, reducing eddy currents in other triangular coilelements that dissipate transferred power by way of thermal losses, andso on.

FIG. 1C is a cross section of a triangular coil element 110 a of FIG.1B, taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1B showing the positioning of theshield elements 111 a and the shield elements 112 a around the sides andbottom, respectively, of the wound wire coil 113 a of the triangularcoil element 110 a.

Although the coil elements 110 a are discussed herein and illustrated inFIG. 1B as triangular, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, the coil elements may be one or more differentshapes (such as rectangles, triangles other than equilateral triangles,hexagons, circles, ovals, squares, irregular shapes, other shapes,and/or a mixture of shapes) without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Such different shapes may be selected for a varietyof different considerations such as optimizing space, power transmissioncharacteristics, and/or other characteristics. For example, differentshapes may be utilized in order to create areas of higher powertransmission density and lower transmission density. Though shapes otherthan triangles are discussed with respect to this first example system100, it is understood that various shapes may be utilized in any of theembodiments discussed herein without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

For example, FIG. 1D illustrates an example of a first alternativeimplementation of the electronic device 101 shown in FIG. 1B where coilelements 110 a are square. FIG. 1E illustrates an example of a secondalternative implementation of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1Bwhere coil elements 110 a are hexagonal. FIG. 1F illustrates an exampleof a third alternative implementation of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1B where coil elements 110 a-110 c are a mix of different shapes.FIG. 2A is an isometric view diagram illustrating a second examplesystem 200 for inductive power transmission. As illustrated, the systemincludes an electronic device 201 that is a charging bowl operable toinductively transmit power to a number of electronic devices proximateto an interface surface 203 such as electronic device 202. However, itis understood that this is an example. In various implementations, theelectronic device 201 may be any kind of electronic device operable toinductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from anynumber of electronic device. Further, although the electronic device 202is shown as a smart phone, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, the electronic device 202 may be any kind ofelectronic device.

As illustrated, the interface surface 203 may be non-planar. FIG. 2B isa cross section of the second example system 200 of FIG. 2A, taken alongline 2B-2B of FIG. 1. Similar to the first example system 100 of FIGS.1A-1C, the second example system 200 includes a number of triangularcoil elements 210 a including coils 213 a and shield elements 211 a and212 a independently operable to inductively transmit power to and/orreceive power from one or more electronic devices (such as to and/orfrom the inductive coil 220 of the second electronic device 202).However, unlike the first example system 100, none of the triangularcoil elements 210 a share a horizontal plane.

As such, a user may drop, toss, or otherwise place electronic devices(such as the electronic device 202) into the bowl shaped electronicdevice 201 in order to initiate power transmission. As the triangularcoil elements 210 a may detect proximity of such electronic devicesprior to transmission, other objects may be placed into the bowl shapedelectronic device 201 without initiating transmission in areas proximateto such other objects, preventing transmission from affecting such otherobjects or such other objects from interfering with transmission.

Further, although the first example system 100 is a planar surface withtriangular coil elements 110 a all occupying a single horizontal planeand the second example system 200 is a non-planar curved surface wherenone of triangular coil elements 210 a occupy the same horizontal plane(having a series of planes in which the triangular coil elements 210 aare angularly offset in planes from each other to follow the shape ofthe curve), it is understood that other geometries are possible. Forexample, in various implementations some but not all triangular coilelements may occupy the same horizontal plane. Some surfaces may housemultiple triangular coil elements that occupy the same plane whereasothers house only a single triangular coil element occupying a singleplane, which may depend on the size of the surface.

Additionally, although the coil elements 210 a-210 e are discussedherein and illustrated in FIG. 2B as flat coil elements, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, the coilelements may be non-flat or otherwise non-planar, such as curved (suchas to follow the curve of a curved interface surface), bent, stepped,angled, and/or otherwise configured in a non-planar manner. Thecoil-elements may be configured as nonplanar for a variety ofconsiderations, such as to conform to a non-planar interface surface, toenable different power transmission characteristics or profiles, and soon. For example, FIG. 2C illustrates an example of an alternativeimplementation of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2B where certaincoil elements 210 a are individually curved to correspond to thenon-planar curved surface of the interface surface 203. Thoughnon-planar coil elements are discussed with respect to this secondexample system 200, it is understood that various shapes may be utilizedin any of the embodiments discussed herein without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. Likewise, certain embodiments may useboth planar and non-planar coils in their design and implementation.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for inductivepower transmission. This method may be performed by the systems of FIGS.1A-1C and/or 2A-2B.

The flow begins at block 301 and proceeds to block 302 where one or moreelectronic devices are placed on an interface surface of a device suchas an inductive transmission device. The flow then proceeds to block 303where one or more triangular coil elements of the device proximate tothe electronic device(s) detect proximity of the electronic device(s).Such detection may be performed by monitoring current of the triangularcoil elements, monitoring information exchanged between the electronicdevice and an electronic device incorporating the triangular coilelements whether exchanged utilizing the triangular coil elements and/orother communication components, and/or any other such means ofdetermining when triangular coil elements are proximate to one or moreelectronic devices.

Next, the flow proceeds to block 304 where power is inductivelytransmitted to the electronic device(s) using the proximate triangularcoil element(s).

In some cases, multiple triangular coil elements may transmit power tomultiple electronic devices. In such cases, the different triangularcoil elements may utilize different inductive transmission parameters.Such may be tuned to the parameters of the respective electronicdevices. In various cases, multiple triangular coil elements maytransmit power to the same electronic device. In such cases, themultiple triangular coil elements may utilize the same parameters (whichmay be synchronized, complementary, and so on) and/or may alternateaccording to one or more alternation schemes.

Although the method 300 is illustrated and described as includingparticular operations performed in a particular order, it is understoodthat this is an example. In various implementations, various orders ofthe same, similar, and/or different operations may be performed withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, the method 300 is illustrated and described above asinductively transmitting power from the proximate triangular coilelements to the electronic device(s). However, in variousimplementations power may be inductively transmitted from the electronicdevice(s) to the proximate triangular coil elements and/or between boththe electronic device(s) and the proximate triangular coil elements.

By way of a second example, the method 300 is illustrated and describedabove as detecting proximate electronic device(s) and then inductivelytransmitting power. However, in various implementations it may bedetermined whether or not proximate electronic device(s) are detected.In such implementations, power may only be inductively transmitted ifelectronic device(s) are determined to be proximate.

By way of a third example, the method 300 is illustrated and describedabove as inductively transmitting power from the proximate triangularcoil elements to the electronic device(s), simultaneous transmissionsinvolving different triangular coil elements may be performed withdifferent inductive power transmission characteristics such as differentfrequencies, power levels, and/or other such characteristics. Forexample, if two triangular coil elements are inductively transmittingpower at the same time, the first triangular coil element mayinductively transmit power at a first frequency and the secondtriangular coil element may inductively transmit power at a secondfrequency. In this way, cross coupling and/or other interference may bemitigated, minimized, and/or eliminated.

As described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, thepresent disclosure discloses systems, apparatuses, and methods forinductive power transmission. A system for inductive power transmissionmay include at least one interface surface and a plurality of triangularcoil elements, which may be equilateral triangles, positioned underneaththe interface surface. Each of the triangular coil elements may bepositioned such that at least one edge of the respective triangular coilelement is adjacent to an edge of at least one other of the triangularcoil elements. In some cases, at least one of the triangular coilelements may be positioned such that each of its edges are adjacent toedges of other triangular coil elements. Each of the plurality oftriangular coil elements may be operable to inductively transmit powerto at least one coil of at least one electronic device and/orinductively receive power from the coil of the electronic device. Inthis way, the triangular coil elements may be positioned to maximize thearea underneath the interface surface.

In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented assets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methodsdisclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other embodiments, thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearrangedwhile remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

Methods based on techniques of the described disclosure may be providedas a computer program product, or software, that may include anon-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereoninstructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or otherelectronic devices) to perform a process according to the presentdisclosure. A nontransitory machine-readable medium includes anymechanism for storing information in a form (e.g., software, processingapplication) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The nontransitorymachine-readable medium may take the form of, but is not limited to, amagnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette, video cassette, and soon); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storagemedium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasableprogrammable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; and so on.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context or particular embodiments.Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or described with differentterminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined inthe claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for inductive power transmission,comprising: a curved interface surface; and a plurality of coil elementspositioned underneath the curved interface surface, each of theplurality of coil elements positioned such that at least one edge of therespective coil element is adjacent to an edge of at least one other ofthe plurality of coil elements, and each of the plurality of coilelements is positioned in a plane different from planes in whichadjacent coil elements are positioned; wherein each of the plurality ofcoil elements are operable to at least one of: inductively transmitpower to at least one coil of at least one electronic device; orinductively receive power from the at least one coil of the at least oneelectronic device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcoil elements includes a first coil element, a second coil element, anda third coil element, wherein the first coil element is positioned in ahorizontal plane, and the second and third coil elements are positionedin planes at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coilelements is curved and conforms to the curvature of the curved interfacesurface.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of coilelements includes a ferrite shielding element positioned around sides ofthe respective coil element to separate the respective coil element fromadjacent coil elements.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ferriteshielding element is further configured to shield a surface of therespective coil element opposite the interface surface.
 6. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the at least one ferrite shielding element reducesinterference between at least two of the plurality of coil elementsinductively transmitting power at a same time.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein at least two of the plurality of coil elements are operable tocooperatively transmit power to the at least one coil of the at leastone electronic device.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein a first of theplurality of coil elements is operable to inductively transmit power tothe at least one coil of the at least one electronic device at a sametime a second of the plurality of coil elements inductively transmitspower to at least one additional coil of at least one additionalelectronic device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first of theplurality of coil elements inductively transmits power at a firstfrequency and the second of the plurality of coil elements inductivelytransmits power at a second frequency.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of coil elements are operable toinductively transmit power at one of different frequencies or differentpower levels.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one coilelement of the plurality of coil elements is positioned such that eachedge of the at least one coil is adjacent to an edge of another coilelement.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofcoil elements are operable to detect proximity of the at least one coilof the at least one electronic device.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein each of the plurality of coil elements are operable toinductively transmit power to the at least one coil of the at least oneelectronic device upon detecting that the at least one coil of the atleast one electronic device is proximate.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of coil elements are positioned to occupy amaximized area underneath the interface surface.
 15. The system of claim1, wherein at least two of the plurality of coil elements are operableto activate simultaneously.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the atleast two of the plurality of coil elements utilize either a matchingset of inductive transmission parameters or differing sets of inductivetransmission parameters.
 17. An electronic device, comprising: at leastone interface surface; and a plurality of coil elements positionedunderneath the at least one interface surface, each of the plurality ofcoil elements positioned such that at least one edge of the respectivecoil element is adjacent to an edge of at least one other of theplurality of coil elements, and each of the plurality of coil elementsis positioned in a plane different from planes in which adjacent coilelements are positioned; wherein at least one of the plurality of coilelements has a first shape; at least one of the plurality of coilelements has a second shape different than the first shape; and each ofthe plurality of coil elements are operable to at least one of:inductively transmit power to at least one coil of at least oneelectronic device; or inductively receive power from the at least onecoil of the at least one electronic device.
 18. The electronic device ofclaim 17, wherein the first shape is flat, and the second shape isnon-flat.
 19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first shapeis triangular, and the second shape is other than triangular.
 20. Amethod for inductive power transmission, the method comprising: placingat least one electronic device on an interface surface of an inductivepower transmission device, the inductive power transmission deviceincluding a plurality of coil elements positioned underneath theinterface surface, each of the plurality of coil elements positionedsuch that at least one edge of the respective coil element is adjacentto an edge of at least one other of the plurality of coil elements, andeach of the plurality of coil elements is positioned in a planedifferent from planes in which adjacent coil elements are positioned;detecting that at least one of the plurality of coil elements isproximate to the at least one electronic device; and inductivelytransmitting power to the at least one electronic device utilizing theat least one of the plurality of coil elements.